Mechanical plating apparatus.



P. T. SEALEY.

MECHANICAL PLATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20. 19|5.

Patented May 2, 1916.

4 SIIEETSSHEET I.

Fera TSea/ Z I V T NILSIS'E S IN I [5N TOR.

P. T. SEALEY.

MECHANICAL PLATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20. 19|5.

Patented May 2, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3- ].VV/LV TOR.

Pei e TSea/e g.

P. T. SEALEY.

MECHANICAL PLATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20, 1915.

Patented May 2, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Perg T Sea/e51 INVEN TOR.

PERCY 'r. sEALEr, oramon, OHIO,

are.

assrenon TO THE rmnsronn '1' Ann serene COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A.CORPORATION OE Q0- ieate,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERCY T. SEALEY, a citizen of the United States,residin at Akron, in the county of Summit and tate 'of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Plat ingApparatus, specification.

My invention relates to machines for electro-plating articlescontinuously, and more particularly,

of which the following is a not limited'to the treatment of thesearticles specifically. j I

The Objects of my'invention are to provide a machine 'for carryin on theprocesses incident to electro p ating, withoutthe necessity of handlingarticles from'the time they are placed in the machine, until they aredischarged. In-order to -do this, it has been the aim of my inventionto. provide means for pickling, Washing, electroplating, and finallywashing the articles. 2

It has also been one of the objects of my invention to provide means forrotating -the article while under treatment, and

while rotated in the pickling and electroplating tanks, to maintain theelectric circuit through the tanks and articles, in order that thepickling and plating may be carried out uniformly over the entiresurface of the article.

Another object of my invention hasbeen to provide a "pickling tank inwhich the pickling operation "is performed with the aid of electrolyticaction, which electro-" lytic action is reversed in polarity while'therims are in the pickling solution.

\ These and otherjadvantages will beread ily understood by reference tothe accompanying drawings, which shows. preferred embodiment of myinvention, in which- Figure 1 is aside elevation of, the entire machinefor carrying on the electroplating process. Fig. 2 is a longitudinalsection thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view. N Fig. 4 is .an enlarged sectionof the electro-plating tank, showing one of the rims immersed in thesolution. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of a tank near thetransfer wheels.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic viewof the pickle tank, showing the means forreversing polarity.

i Specification of Lettereratent. Application filed February 20, 1915.Serial No. 9,5 1.9.

for electro plating an-- nular objects, such as tirerims, though it ismncnamcan PLATING armnarrrs Patented May 2, 1916.

like reference nuand delivery spaced thereon which are supportedinverted ti-shaped rails 7, which rails extend along the row of tanks atlittle below the upper edge of the tanks and serve as supports for thearticles under treatment, as will be explained later. Arranged at theend. of each tank and extended, above it are a series of pairs ofstandards 8, the standards of a pair being arranged opposite to eachother, and supporting transverse rotating shafts 9, carryingtransferwheels 10, having radially extending arms 11. In the ends of the arms11, are mounted to swing freely segment shaped lifters or hooks 12.

The annular articles shown as rims 13 are placed over shaftsl l andpositioned on adjustable, collars 15, secured to the shaft 14: by set.screws 16, the purpose of the, adjustment being to allow for thetreatment. of rims of different widths. The rims come to rest with thecollars' in the outside rabbets formed on the interior surface of v therims, and .are thus prevented from coming in contact with one another.,This

construction also allows rivets projecting inwardly from the rim to,pass over the shafts 14, in their rotation, as will be explained. Theshafts 14 have secured theretov at the ends, rollers 17 withgroovedperipheries adaptedto roll on V-shaped ribs hubs 21. are secured groovedwheels 22, which are located outside of the walls of the tanks and restupon the rails 7. The arrangement shown permits the shafts 20 to passover the tanks while the shafts 14 are below the upper edges and insidethe tanks, hanging thereform'being thus suspended in the varioussolutions, the levels of which are 18 disposed about the inner surfaceof large wheels-19, secured to shafts 20 by means of I Near the ends ofthe shafts 20 the rims v kept below the periphery of the wheels 19. Bythis arrangement it will be seen that if the shafts 20 are rolled alongthe rails 7, a rotary motion will be imparted through the wheels 19 andshafts 14 to the rims during their travel through the solutions.

The longitudinal travel of'the rim carriers is effected by the followingmeans: On both sides of the tanks outside of the rails 7 are arrangedalined channel irons 23 in which travel endless chains 24, which passaround sprocket wheels 25 and 26, arranged at each end of the series oftanks and intermediate sprocket wheels 27, 28 and 29 secured to shafts30 passing between the tanks. ()n the shafts of the sprocket wheels 25and 26, and on each shaft 30 is secured large sprocket wheel 31, whichdrives smaller sprocket wheels 32 secured to shafts 9 carrying thetransfer wheels. The whole apparatus is driven from a source of power bya belt 33 passing around pulley 34 on the shaft 9.

Made integral with certain of the links of the chain 24 at regularintervals are fingers .35 which are adapted to bear against steelcollars 36 secured to the ends of the shaft 20, but insulated therefromby an intervening layer 37 of non-conducting material.

The fingers 35 push the rim carriers alongon the rails 7, and thusconduct them along the various tanks. At the end of each tank the rail 7is inclined upward as at 38, (see Fig. 5) then downward slightly as at39 to form a pocket, then upward again as at 40, finally terminating ina stop 41. The

pockets 39 are positioned at the intersection.

of the rail 7 with the arodescribed by the lifters 12 in the rotation.The rotation of the transfer wheels 10 is so timed with relation to thetravel of the chain 24 that ordinarily the lifters 12 will arriveopposite the pockets 39 at the same time that the rim carrier reachesthere. If, however, owing to any cause such registry of the action ofthe chain and transfer wheels is not main tained, the additional incline40 and stop 41 is provided to allow the chain 24 to pass under the rimcarrier shaft 20 whereupon the shaft will roll back in position'in thepocket 39. Two more sets of arms 11 are provided on the transfer wheelsthan are necessary to carry rims over from one tank to the next, mypurpose in this being to allow for missing connections with the regulartransfer hooks, whereupon the intermediate ones will perform the work.The speed of travel of this lifter 12 is much greater than the speed oftravel of the fingers 35, so as to provide for the, contingencymention-ed, and also to cut down the time during which the rims are inthe air, it being desirable to cut this down as much as possible toavoid the oxidizing action of the air upon the rims.

The supporting rail 7 carries on its upper surface opposite the picklingand electroplating tanks, an insulating layer 42 and a. layer ofconducting metal 43. In pickling I make use of electrolytic action toaid the action of the pickling, and it is advisable to change thepolarity during the operation. The scheme which I employ for doing thisis illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 6. In this figure it will benoticed that the conductor 43 is broken about midway of the tank byinserts 44 of insulating material. One pole of a direct currentgenerator 45 is connected to one of the sets of conductors 43, while theotherpole is connected to the other set of rails by wire 48. By thismeans the current is maintained from the generator through the wire 47rails 43, through the rim carrier and rims, through the picklingsolution across to the other set of rims and their carriers to the otherrails 43 and back to the generator by the wire 48. By this means it willbe seen that the polarity is reversed in the tanks-and the electrolysisis done without using the tank as part of the circuit, which isadvantageous, owing to the tendency of the current to aid the picklingsolution eating away the tanks.

In the electro-plating tank I suspend the anodes 48 from longitudinalpipes 49. The circuit through the electro-plating tanks is provided fromthe anodes 48 through the solution to the rims, from the rims to theshaft 14 and roller 17 to the ribs 18. From there is passes through thewheels 19 to the shaft 20, roller 22 and conductor 43.

From the above description it is believed that the operation of myapparatus will be readily understood. Rim carriers previously loadedwith a set of rims are placed on the rails 7 at the receiving end of theapparatus in such position that they will "register with the upwardmoving lifters on the transfer wheels. These lifters pick up the rimcarriers and lower them on the rails 7 with the rims suspended in thepickling solution. Traveling fingers on the chain take up the rimcarriers and advance them through the pickling tanks where the picklingoperation is carried on as described until they reach the incline 38. Atthis point the next transfer wheel picks up the rim carriers, lifts themout of the pickling tank and lowers them on the rails 7 with the rimssuspended 'in the washing tank 2. Here the rims will be washed andprepared for the electro-plating. The, chains 24 advance the rims andcarriers to the next transfer wheel, which places the rims in theelectroplating tank. When the rims reach the end of the tank they arepicked up by the next set of transfer wheels which place them in thelast washing tank, from which they are transferred by the last set ofwheels to the rails 7 at the "delivery end, from c ing a pickling tankand areaaee where-they are taken by operators for drying and finishing.v

It will be noted particularly that during the entire travel of the rimsthrough the tank, they are given a continuous rotation by the mechanismdescribed, and shown more particularly-in Fig. 4, thus insuring an eventreatment of the rims throughout.

In the pickling tank instead of using the direct current generator andconductor rails, as shown in Flg. 6, I may obtain the change in polarity'by the use of an alternating current generator, connected to the rimand returned through the solution. This arrangement will give a rapidand continuous change in polarity. I It Will.be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that considerable change might be made in'theconstruction of the various parts which I have described, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention, and withoutsacrificing any of the advantages thereof. I

What I claim is:

1. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination with a series oftanks, holders out of contact with the bath for articles to be treated,means for'transferring said holders to and from said tanks, rotating thearticles on their own iaxes while under treatment. g

2. In an electroplating apparatus, the .combination with a series oftanks, holders out of contact with the bath for articles to be treated,means for transferring said holders to and from said tanks, means forad-- vancing the holders along said tanks, and means for rotating thearticles on their own axes while under treatment.

3. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination with a said tanksbeing an electroplating tank, holdersfor articles to be treated, meansfor transferring said holders to and from said tanks, and means forrotating the articles into and out of the baths in the tanks. 4. In anelectroplating apparatus, the combination with a series of tanks,comprising a pickling tank and an electroplating tank, holders forarticles to be treated,

' means 'fortransferring said holders to and ing a pickling tank,

' from said tanks; and

from said tanks, and means for rotating the articles into and out. ofthe baths in the tanks. I

'5. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination with a series oftanks, compriselectroplating tank, holders out of contact with the bathsfor articles to be treated, means for transferring said holders. to andmeans for rotating the articles on their own axes while in the tanks. 6.In an electroplating" apparatus, the combination with a series of tanks,compriswashing tank, an

. for rotating the and means forseries of tanks, one of awashing-tank,and an cles electroplating tank and a washing tank in the order named,holders for articles to bea tank adapted to contain a pickling solu--tion,'conduct0rs adapted to be electrically connected to the articlesunder treatment in such a manner that the current will pass through thearticles and the solution, means articles into and out of the picklingsolution and means for reversing the polarity of the articles While inthe tank.

8. In an apparatus for treating articles,

'a tank adapted to contain a pickling sclution, holders for the articlesunder treatment adapted to suspend the articles in contact with thepickling solution, conductors adapted to be. electrically connected withthe articles under treatment insuch manner that .the current will passthrough the articles and the solution, means for rotating the articlesinto and out of the pickling solution, and means for reversing thepolarity of the articles while in the tank.

9. In an apparatus for treating articles, a tank adapted to contain apickling solution, holders out of contact with the solution for thearticles under treatment adapted to suspend the articles partiallyimmersed in the solution, means to present all parts of the article torails along said tank and adaptedto support the said article holders.

10. In an apparatus for treating articles, a tank adapted to contain apickling solution, holders out of contactwith the solution for thearticles under treatment adapted to suspend articles, partially immersedand rotate the articles in the solution so that all parts of thearticles will be subjected to the solution, conductor rails alon adaptedto support said artlcle holders, means for returning the current throughthe pickling solution. 1

the solution, and conductor said tank In an apparatus for treatingarticles,

a tank adapted to contain a tion, ticles in the conductor leading fromone side of the genmotor and connected to one end of the rails,

side of the generator, connected to the other end of-said rails, and aninsulating-medium dividing the said rails.

12. In an apparatus for treating articles, atank adapted to containapickling solution, holders rotatively supporting the artisolution, railsalong the sides of the pickling tank, the said holders resting on therails, an electric current generator, a

another conductor connected to the other under treatment suspended inthe solution, rails along the side of the pickling tank, the saidholders resting on the rails, an electric current generator, a conductorleading from one side of the generator and connected to one end of therails, another conductor connected to the other side of the generatorleading to the other end of said rails, and insulating medium dividingthe said'rails, and means for advancing said holders along said rails.

13. In an apparatus for treating articles, a tank adapted .to contain apickling solution, holders supporting the articles partially suspendedin the solution, rails along the sides of the pickling tank, the saidhold-- ers resting on 'the rails, an electric current generator, aconductor leading from one side of the generator and connected to oneend of therails, another conductor leading from the other side of thegenerator connected to the other end of said rails, an insulating mediumdividing the said rails, means for advancing said holders along saidrails, whereby the polarity of the articles is reversed while in thepickling solution, and means for rotating the articles while in thepickling solution.

14. In an apparatus for electroplating articles, an electroplating tankadapted to contain an electroplating bath, an anode, a holder out ofcontact with the electroplating bath for supporting articles in thebath, means for rotating the article into and out of the bath, and meansfor advancing the holders along the tank. 4

15. In an apparatus for electroplating articles, an electroplating tank,adapted to contain an electroplating bath, an anode, a

holder out of contact with the electroplating bath for suspendingarticles to be electroplated in the bath, means for rotating the articlewhile in the bath, and means forad- I vancing the holders along thetank.

16. In an apparatus for electroplating artlcles, an electroplating tankadapted to contain an electroplating bath, an anode, a rotating holderfor suspending articles to be electroplated in. the bath, means forrotating the holder and the article on the holder while in the bath, andmeans for advancing the holder along the tank.

17 In an apparatus for electroplating articles, an electroplating tankadapted to contain an electroplating bath, an anode, a holder forsuspending the articles to be electroplated immersed in the bath, meansfor rotating the articles on said holder, and means for advancing thearticle through the tan z.

18. In an apparatus forelectroplating articles, an electroplating tankadapted to contain an electroplating bath, anodes, a holder forsuspendingthe articles to be electroplated partially immersed in thebath, means for rotating the articles on said holders, transfer devicesfor ralsing and lowering said holders in and out of said tank, and

means for establishing an electric current from said anode through thebath and arti nular objects, the combination of the tank for holding anelectroplating bath, holders for the objects above the bath, means foradvancing the holders in a direction parallel to the planes of theobjects, and means for rotating the objects while being advanced 1n thesame plane.

22. In an apparatus for electroplating annular objects, the combinationwith anodes, a tank for holding an electroplating bath, a means forestablishing a current from said anode through the bath and articles, aholder for the said articles comprising a shaft about which saidarticles are rotated, means for rotating the shaft, and means foradvancing shaft along the electroplating tank.

23. In an apparatus for electroplating annular objects, the combinationwith anodes, a tank for holding an electroplating bath, means forestablishing a current from said anodes through the bath andthearticles, a holder for said articles comprising a shaftaround whichsaid articles are placed, a wheel on which said shaft is rotatz blysupported, a second shaft for said wheel, and means for supporting sairisecond shaft for travel over said tank. I

24. In an apparatus for electroplating annular objects, the combinationwith anodes, a tank for holding an electroplating bath, rails outside ofand along said tank, a shaft supported on said rails, and shafts'forsupporting said objects loosely suspended from saidfirst named shaft,said rails forming the electrical return from said anodes.

'25. In an apparatus for electroplating annular objects, the combinationwith anodes, a tank for holding an electroplating bath, rails outside ofand along said tank, a shaft supported on said rails, means for rollingmeans for rotating the articles on said holda tank for holding anelectroplating bath,

rails outside of and along said tank, a shaft supported on said rails,means for rolling said shaft along said rails, wheels secured to saidshafts, shafts for holding said articles supported to roll along theinside of said wheels, said shafts, wheels and rails constituting returnfor the current from said anodes.

27. In an apparatus for electroplating rims, the combination withanodes, a tank for holding an electroplating bath, rails outside of andalong said tank, a shaft supported on said rails, means for rolling saidshaft along said rails, wheels secured to said .shafts, shafts forholding said rims hung over it, said rim holding shaft adapted to rollalong the inside of said wheels, means on said article holding shaftsadapted to support and guide said rims, said shafts, wheels and railsconstituting return for the current from said anodes.

28. In an electroplating apparatus, an electroplating tank, holders forarticles to be electroplated, means for rotating articles on their ownaxes into and out of the elecr troplating bath while beingelectroplated,

. means for advancing articlesthrough the electroplating tank and meansfor main-- taining the electric circuit during the travel of saidarticles.

29. In an electroplating apparatus, an electroplating tank, holders forthe objects to be electroplated, said holders being out of contact withthe electroplating bath, means for advancingthe holders through the tankand means to immerse all parts of the objects in the electroplatingbath.

30. In an electroplating apparatus, an

electroplating tank, means for holding articles and rotating them sothat all parts may be electroplated, means for advancing the articlesthrough the tank, and a conductor electrically connected with thearticle holders, the holders being at all times out of'conf tact withthe electroplating bath.

31. In an electroplating apparatus the combination with a tank, holdersfor articles to be treated, means for transferring said holders to andfrom said tank, and means for rotating the articles into and out of theelectroplating bath.

32. In an apparatus for treating articles,

a pickling tank, means for advancing the articles through the ickingtank, and conductors adapted to e connected with the articles and meansfor reversing polarity of the articles effective upon advance of thearticles through the tank.

33. In an apparatus for treating articles,

a pickling tank, means for. suspending and moving the articles withinthe pickling tank, conductors adapted to be connected with the articles,and means for reversing the polarity of the articles while in the tankby movement of the articles.

34. In-apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank,a support outside of the tank, a rotatable shaft-

